JazzHR
JazzHR is a project of the Croatian Composers’ Society (HDS) that has been continuously promoting jazz music in Croatia since 1991. Throughout the year, it presents a concert season and two festivals – a spring and an autumn edition – with a special focus on showcasing and promoting Croatian jazz composers and musicians, while also frequently hosting outstanding international artists.
The project primarily focuses on composition and original works, providing a platform for new discographic releases by Croatian and regional jazz artists whose creativity enriches the diverse subgenres of jazz.
A special emphasis is placed on supporting young jazz musicians and composers through the New Hopes of Jazz platform. This initiative offers emerging artists the opportunity to perform for audiences and professionals alike on the stage of a renowned jazz festival during the key years of their artistic development.
Throughout its rich history, JazzHR has operated under several names – International Jazz Days, Spring Jazz Review, Jazz.hr/Spring, and Jazz.hr/Autumn – and has been led by distinguished artistic directors such as Mladen Mazur, Antun Tomislav Šaban, and Davor Hrvoj. Its programs have been held at various Zagreb concert venues, including the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall and the Blagoje Bersa Hall, featuring performances by more than 2,000 musicians to date.
From 2021 to 2025, the project’s artistic director was Lana Janjanin, under whose leadership JazzHR found its home at Tvornica kulture (Culture Factory), strengthening the sense of community within the Croatian jazz scene.
As of July 1, 2025, Borna Šercar – a distinguished musician, composer, painter, and poet – takes over as artistic director. Renowned for his innovative projects that boldly blend Croatian musical heritage with contemporary jazz expression, Šercar continues the mission of JazzHR with a fresh creative vision.